USA Net: Last call for ‘The Big Easy’

USA Network has pulled the plug on its original drama series “The Big Easy.”

The show, produced by Grosso-Jacobson Prods. and Polygram TV, debuted in August 1996, heralding an ongoing push by the cabler to invest in original series production.

“The Big Easy,” based on the 1987 feature film of the same name, debuted in the Sunday 10 p.m. timeslot as part of USA’s original action-drama night, also comprising the series “La Femme Nikita,” which has been on an upswing for the net, and “Pacific Blue.” “The Big Easy” was pushed back to 11 p.m. in June, when “La Femme Nikita” moved to 10 p.m.

Reps for Polygram could not be reached for comment late Thursday, but the distributor may well shop the show to other cable nets or even try to keep it alive in firstrun syndication. Set in New Orleans, “The Big Easy” starred Tony Crane as a hip homicide detective who falls for the town’s sassy female district attorney.